Motion picture change-over and cut-off device



Aug. 15, 1933. c. THIDE MOTION PICTURE CHANGE-OVER ANDCUT-OFF DEVICE Filed March 50, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTYOR 7 A; Char/es 777/022.

W f E TORNE y Aug. 15, 1933. c. THIDE MOTION PICTURE CHANGE-OVER AND CUT-OFF DEVICE Filed March 30, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR A C'fiar/es 777/06 BY W Patented Aug. 15, 1933 q v UNITED STATES PAT N OFFICE.

MOTION PICTURE CHANGE-OVER AND ,CUT-OFF DEVICE Charles Thide, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 30, 1927. Serial No. 179,673 4 5 Claims. (01. 88-17) This invention relates to -motion picture such drawings, similar reference characters de change-over and cut-off devices and in particular note corresponding parts throughout all the to one which is positioned at the most advanviews, of which, tageous point in the projection apparatus. Figure l is a viewin rear elevation'of a motion 5 A most important object of the'invention is to picture Vprojecting appartus having positioned 60 provide a change-over which functions between thereon a cut-off device'which is QPrable by a the light source and the film at a point wherethe solenoid and is so positioned on the projector beam is narrower in cross sectional diameter than that small movement thereof will effectively and it is at the front extremity of the lamp house quickly cutoff the light beam entering the procone or immediately in front thereof jector. i 65 Another object of the invention is to provide a Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the procut-off or shutter device which will make use of a jector shown in Figure l illustrating. the position very small piece of material which will intercept of the cut-off device relatively to the rear wall the light beam either before or behind an aperture of the projector housing. f

through which part of the light beampasses be- Figure 3 is an enlarged view in front elevation fore reaching the film, the aperture being smaller of the cut-off and change-over device showing in areathan the cross sectional area of the light the small aperture permissible when the cutfoff beam at the point where the aperture is placed. device is placed on the rear wall of the projector A still further particular object of the invenhousing and in position to intercept the beam at tion is to provide a change-over device which does the most advantageous point, I f not confine the light beam to the lamp house but Figure 4 is a View inside elevation of the cutprevents the light beam from reaching the film off device showing how' the sameis positioned on and also reduces the fire hazard, the change-over the rear wall of the projector housing and how or shutters being of smaller dimension than the shutter thereof is effectively operated by the heretofore used in order to cut off the lightbeam solenoid. r v I f 80 and therefore requiring the expenditure of less Figure 5 is a view'in longitudinal s'ectionofthe powerto move the same through the smaller dissolenoids used to operate the cut-off device; tances required during a change-over or cut-out. Figure 6 is a view in side elevation a part there'- Another particular object of the invention is of being shown in section to more clearly, illusto provide an electrically operated change-over trate the invention of the lamp housing, the pro- Y or cut-out device which requires a minimum tector hood, cut-01f device and the projector amount of wiring and which, in fact, is operated head, the illustration being primarily to. show by a three wire circuit leading to a switch box, the positioning of the change over or [cut-off each of the switch boxes operating any of a series device with relation to the beam of lightlj I,

35 of change-over devices which may be connected Figure 7 is a Wiring diagram and switch shown 90 electrically witha minimum of wiring to not only diagrammatically to illustrate how each of the reduce the fire hazard but to reduce the expense change-over and cut-off devices may be operated of wiring up a battery of-projectors so that cutin combination and selectively to suit any conoif and change-over may be made electrically ditions desired.

40 from any convenient location in the operators Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 indicates booth. the usual projector head having positioned on 'A still further object of the invention is to prothe upper and lower ends thereof I the film reels vide a solenoid operated cut-off shutter or 6 and F7, from which the film is fed into the change-over device which may be operated projector head 5 and through the space B, be-

through a suitable switch and at a remote point, tween the rear wall 9 of the projector and the the mechanism employed being adaptable to a rear end of the lens barrel 10, at, which point the, combination of projectors so that one may be beam of light 11 passes through the film andis opened and-the other closed during the change- I projected upon the screen. in the usual manner. over instantaneously. In'carrying out my invention, I have provided To enable others skilled in the art to fully comon the rear wall 9 of the projector housing, the

prehend the underlying features of my invention spaced cooling plates 12 and'13 which, as shown that they may embody the same in the various in Figure 4, are the front andrear platesre modifications in structure and relation contemspectively and are made from asbestos or heat plated, drawings depicting a preferred form have resistant composition. the object being. to posi- 5 been annexed as a part of this disclosure-and in tion these plates 12 and 13 so that they are in the path of the light ray and absorb the heat and prevent the projector housing from getting hot. These plates 12 and 13 are held in spaced relation through the medium of the pins or rivets 14 and are in turn, held in spaced relation with the wall 9 of the projector housing through the medium ofsuit able blocks or strips 15 which are positioned between the inner plates 13 and the wall of the projector housing and are secured to the latter in any suitable manner, such, for instance, as by the pins or rivets 14, before referred to.

Of course, I am aware that cooling plates of one sort or another have been used on the prowhich is used to intercept the beam of light so that it will not reach the film but I have devised a cut-off device which is so placed relatively to an aperture that it functions at a point where the beam is'narrower in cross sectional diameter than it has heretofore beenvpossible to at- 16 is connected through the medium of a ver- 7 tical link 18 with a pivoted arm 19 which has heretofore been operated through the medium of a'projecting pin 20 which extends through the rear wall of the housing and which was adapted tobe operated by the motion picture operator to raise and lower the plate 16. In order to facilitate this operation, I have provided on'the cooling plate 12', an extended bracket 21 on which is carried a standard 22 in which is pivotally held an operating lever 23, the end of the operating lever engaging the pin 20 and thereby operating the cut-off plate] 16.

Infproviding the cut-off shutter which is also made of a heat resisting material, I may make use of a single sheet of material or may make the shutter double, and as shown in Figure 4, have carried out this construction so that the two plates'12 and 13 will act as a guide for the shutter 2'4 in its upward and downward movement. ,In this instance; the shutter 24 is double [walled and its parts are connected through the medium of suitable rivets 25, the upper of which forms a pivot point for the upwardly extending link 26 and the lower of which forms a limiting stop for the upward and downward movement of the shutter 24 by reason of the fact that it is disposed within the cut-out portion 27 of the plate It is evident through the use of this construction that the aperture 17 is completely out off by f of the rear wall 9 of the projector head housing,

the short arm of the bell crank 27 being connected through the medium of a link 30 to the outer end or the solenoid core 31. The solenoid core 31, as

shown inFigure 5, is reduced at its mid portion as at 32 so it passes through the opening 33 in the dividing wall 34 which is disposed centrally of the solenoid which is made in the usual manner and consists of an outer sleeve 35 closed at its ends as at 36 and containing the usual wire coils 3'1 and 38, which are electrically connected to suitable operating switches to be hereinafter described. These solenoids, as is well understood, are provided with a double winding 37 and 38 which causes movement of the core 31 back and forth through the solenoid, depending upon which coil of the coils 3'7 and 38 is energized, the movement of the solenoid core 31 being limited by the reduced portion 32 thereof, the ends adjoining said reduced 'portion32 being provided with suitable leather washers 39 which prevent noise when the solenoid is projected in one direction or the other and comes into contact with the dividing center wall 34.

With respect to the change-over device, it is seen therefore, that I have provided a douser positioned to take advantage of the smallest aperture between the light source and the film whereby the closing of which will effectively shield the film from the light and also, due to its small movement necessary in closing, will conserve the current used in the solenoid core and therefore make for more efiicient and economical operation, be- 1 sides reducing the fire hazard by completely cutting off and insulating the light beam'from the projector head, and film.

In the operation of a series of cut-off or changeover devices, Ih'ave provided a novel feature by 1 way of three wires leading from each solenoid and operating through a suitable switch which may be connected up electrically to any other number'of switches which operate their respective solenoids and in the position shown in Figure '7. I have illustrated a combination of three solenoids diagrammatically and the cores of which are numbered 3'7 and 38 of each of the solenoids 40. The switches connected to each of the solenoids being operable selectively to change over from any one 1 machine to the other, the machines positioned be ing designated as A, B and C, in Figure 7, for convenience in describing. It is evident that the placing of the solenoids and the shutter on the rear wall 9 of the housing of the projector will, as shown in Figure 6, operate the cut-off device which -is positioned adjacent thereto, function between the cone 43 andbeing projected upon the cooling I plate 12 and it will be noted that the aperturel'l 1 in the cooling plate is smaller than the diameter of the light beam at the point where it strikes the plate 12 and thus the shutter may be operated through the aperture to effectively cut off the light beam. 1

In the wiring diagram shown in Figure '7, which illustrates diagrammatically the method of operating selectively the solenoid on each of a battery of' three machines A, B and C, I have provided a source of current such as a generator G which isconnected by the usual wires 44 and 45 to the contact pieces 46 and 47 respectively, in each of the switch boxes 48. The contacts 47 are bridged to other contacts 49 through the medium of a suitable lever-50, which extends beyond the switch box 48 and is providedwith a foot portion 51, although it is understood that the switch may be operated by hand and is shown diagrammatically to illustrate its principle 0f operation, the switch 50 being held in its upward solenoidsf connected vice, assuming that moved to its downward position as shownin the wiring diagram, associated with machine C,

Inorder to selectively operate anyone of the with machines A, B and C, I have provided in the lines reversed polarity switches which maybe incorporatedwithin the switch box 48 so that their handles 51 extend outside the box for operating convenience, the polarity switch being designated in. each instance by the numeral 53 and having its pivot point in circuits 44, when any one of the switches are pressed down to bridge the contact As an illustration in the operation of the debut is next in order for projecting while the machine C is operating then,,pressure on the switch 50 will bridge the contacts 47, 49 completing a circuit through the contact 4'1 from line 45 throughthe switch arm 50, through the wire 54A, thenthrough the coil 37 of the solenoid 40 and down through the lead 55 through 'tthe contact 46 and back through the negative line 44.

The coil 3'? will be caused to operate to draw the core 31 into the coil and thereby close the shut- .ter 24 by reason of the fact that the polarity switch 53 has connectedthe coil 3''! in circuitwith.

the lines 44 and 45 whilethe bent portion of the switch arm 50, which lies between its pivot point 53A and rests on contact 49 will short circuit the coil 38 of the solenoid and hence'the coil 37 being wound as it is, for the purpose of drawing the core into the solenoid will effectively operate, the current being shunted therethrough by the polarity switch 53, as described.

Of course, it is evident by inspection of the wiring diagram relating to machine A that no ac-- tion takes place on machine A because the polar?- ty switch is in its neutral position'and no energization of the solenoid takes place although the current when bridged across 47 and 49 in the switch box of machine C, travels through the wire 56 and through the switch box of machine A through the contact 46 and back through wire 44 to the negative side of the generator. During the energization chine C, the energization of one of the coils of the solenoid 40 and machine B also takes place because the, polarity switch 53 is closed and upon the closing movement of the plate 24 on machine C, it is desired to simultaneously open the shutter 24 on machine B so that a change-over may take place instantly which will, of course, be invisible to the audience, and in carrying out this feature, it is desirable to advance the core 31 by energization of the coil 38 on the solenoid 40 of machine 13 and this is carried out by throwing the polarity switch 53 to the position shown in the switch box 48 of machine B where it will bridge the contact of one side of the polarity switch in order to complete the circuit through the wire 57 to the coil 38 through wire 58 and through the switch arm 50 to wire 44 back to the source of current, thus completing the circuit and energizing the coil 38 to cause the advance of the core out of the solenoid to efiectively open the shutter at the same instant that the shutter on machine C is closed.

In order to operate any of the machines from a remote point in the cabinet instead of using the foot switch, I have provided two additional wires machine B is not operating f single casing whereby of the solenoid 40 on ma- 59 and so which are intrpos edin-the'maincircuit 44,45 and which bridge]thecontacts4'7, 49by closing any of the switches i'l interposed in the circuit formed by I is evident, thatv these switches. 61 maybe of the push button variety and may be poSiti nedQadjacent each machine so that the operator, ih the event'thathe has. not time to reach amachine' in which change-over, is

one of the buttons and change-over will occur. It is evident, therefore, thatb'y a simplified wiring, a change over between anytwo machine's thejwir'es' 59,. and 601,: It,

A desired, and for' which the polarity switch hasbeen set, he may simply press may be made, or inf act,between any combination of machines to produce complete cut-oil, o'r' change-over as the'case maybe, without'theiuse of a multiplicity of wiring as has heretoforebeen required.

It is 150 evident that I have redficed the ber of wires between the r'nacl'iinje'sand, the switches and have' embodied the] witches i'n a they can be efliciently manipulated and fill, in themselves, reduce. the fire risk, which is ordinarily of ahigh nature in connection with motion picture projector housn ings and the apparatus contained therein. I f,

It is also evident that I' have provideda cut-jofi device which functions between the light source and the film at a point where the light'be'arnj is narrower in diameter than it is atthe front extremity of the lamp house cone so thatthe light is prevented from reaching the film by the smallest possible site of shutter which will intercept the beam, either before: or 'behind'fa'n aperture through I which the light beam passes" before reaching the film, it of course being understood that the aperture is smaller in area than the cross sectional area of the light beam at the point where the aperture is placed.

It is also evident that I have provided a changeover device which does notconfine the beam to the lamp house but prevents it reaching thefilm, thereby giving a greater amount of fire protection. I It is alsoevident that I have provided a changeover device which makes use of a smallerv shutter which operates through a smaller distance therefore rendering the change-over invisible to the audience as well as conserving the power necessary in operating the solenoid to cause cut-off by said shutter.

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I realing each of said shutters, dual coils in said solenoids, a three-way power circuit common to all.

a battery of three or more of the projectors, a switch for diverting the current through some 'of the solenoids and a selective reversed polarity switch for each of said solenoids whereby the current may be directed to each of the coils of each of the solenoids for motion picture projectors,

switches for hooking up causing opening or closing of the desired shutter.

2. In combination, a battery of three or more motion picture projectors, a light projector for ,each of the motion picture projectors, a shutter between each of the light projectors and the m0- tion picture projectors,a dual coil solenoid for opening and closing each shutter, a three wire power circuit common to all of said projectors, a three 'wire solenoid coil circuit for each projector, switches interposed in the solenoid coil cir- "cuit each of which functions to selectively place any two of the solenoid coils in circuit and switches forhooking up the power -and solenoid coil circuits whereby operation of the said two solenoids may beaccomplished in unison.

3. In combination, a battery of three of more a light projector for each of the motion picture projectors, a shutter between each of the light projectors and the motion' picture projectors, a plurality of solenoid coils for opening and closing each shutter,'a three wire power circuit :common to all the projectors used, a three wire solenoid coil circuit, for each projector,switches interposed in the solenoid coil circuit, for selectively placing any one of the coils of'any one of the solenoids in circuit and the power and solenoid coil circuits whereby operation of any of the desired'solen'oid coils may beaccomplished selectively. l f 7 A 4. The combination with a battery of three or more motion picture projecting machines each comprising a housing having an aperture therein and a lighting member arranged to focus a beam of light toward and through said aperture, of a light beam cut-01fshutter secured to said housing and disposed at the point where the light beam attains its smallest cross sectional diameter before passing through said aperture, solenoid coil for opening and closing the shutter, a three wire power coil circuit common to all the machines, a three wire solenoid coil circuit for each machine, a switch interposed in the solenoid coil circuit and a; switch in the power circuit for transferring the v to thesolenoid coil circuit and said switch in the solenoid coil circuit being operable to cause open ingor closing of the shutter.

5 In combination, a battery of three or more motion picture machines comprising projector heads having" apertures therein, light beam projectors arranged to focus the light beam through the apertures, light beam cut-oil shutters between said light projectors and said picture projectors, the'shutters being secured to the heads and being disposed at points where each of the light beams attains its smallest crosssectional diameter exterior of both of said projectors, dual solenoid coils for opening and closing each of the shutters; a three wire power circuit common to all the machines used, three wire solenoid coil circuits, switches interposed in the solenoid coil circuits each of which functions to' selectively place any two of the solenoid coils in circuit and switches for hooking up the power and solenoid coil circuits whereby operation of thesaid two solenoid'coils may be accomplished in unison, to operate their respective shutters. j

' CHARLES THIDE. [t.s.l 

